Clenn LaVerne Diediker, 86, Topeka, a native of Osawatomie, died Saturday, June 23, 2007, in Midland Hospice House in Topeka.

He was born March 16, 1921, in Osawatomie, the second of the two children of Willis E. and Nellie E. Hays Diediker. He was known as LaVerne or his nickname of “Dutch.” He grew up in Osawatomie and was a 1938 graduate of Osawatomie High School.

He worked for the Missouri Pacific Railroad in the clerk’s office in Osawatomie and then for the Kansas City Terminal Railway Co. (Union Station) in Kansas City, Mo.

During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army as a conductor in the 3rd Military Railway Service. He served in the Army Occupation in Japan and the Philippines.

After completing his military service, he returned to the Kansas City Terminal Railway Co. until moving in 1957 to Topeka. There, he worked for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. until 1966 when he went to work as a carman for the Santa Fe Railroad.

On Aug. 30, 1941, he and Hazel Ila Whitney were married in Osawatomie and they became parents of three children.

He was raised in the Methodist Church and had been a member of the John Brown Lodge No. 523 of the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen of America in Osawatomie since July 14, 1941. He was also a member of Osage Valley Lodge No. 24, A.F.&A.M., of Osawatomie.

Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Ila Diediker of Topeka; a son, Larry Diediker of Willis, Texas; two daughters, Lee Ann CrossBear and Sue Janeski, both of Topeka; a brother, Wayne Diediker of Osawatomie; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 27, in Osawatomie Cemetery with Masonic and military services. Arrangements are being cared for by Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home of Osawatomie.

Memorials may be made to Midland Hospice of Topeka in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 430, Osawatomie, KS 66064.